# XIII: Comparison of Christianism with the Religious Ideas Inspired by Nature explained — The Age of Reason

> Chapter companion for The Age of Reason by Thomas Paine.

## What happens

Paine contrasts the Christian system with the evidence of nature and the universe, recounting his early doubts about Christian doctrine, his education in science, and his argument for a plurality of worlds. He criticizes Christian mythology, especially the story of redemption, and advocates for Deism as a pure and simple faith based on contemplation of the Creator's works.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deism and Natural Theology

Paine contrasts the pure and simple profession of Deism with Christian mythology, emphasizing contemplation of the Deity in his works.

### Critique of Organized Religion

Paine criticizes the Christian story of redemption as shocking to a child and argues that any system of religion that shocks a child cannot be true.

### Science vs. Superstition

Paine uses his knowledge of globes, orrery, and natural philosophy to confront the Christian system with the evidence of the universe.

### Reason vs. Revelation

Paine relies on reason and observation of nature to challenge revealed Christian doctrines.

## Character check-ins

### Thomas Paine

Author and narrator; recounts his Quaker upbringing, early doubts about Christianity, and his turn to science and Deism.

### Jesus Christ

Referenced in the context of the Christian story of redemption by the death of the Son of God.

### Eve

Mentioned in the Mosaic account of creation and the story of the apple.

### Moses

Referenced in the Mosaic account of creation.

## Key lines

> I either doubted the truth of the Christian system, or thought it to be a strange affair; I scarcely knew which it was: but I well remember, when about seven or eight years of age, hearing a sermon read by a relation of mine, who was a great devotee of the church, upon the subject of what is called 'Redemption by the death of the Son of God.'

Paine recalls that from a young age he doubted Christianity, especially after hearing a sermon on redemption at age seven or eight.

_Paine's early skepticism about Christian doctrine._

> The true deist has but one Deity; and his religion consists in contemplating the power, wisdom, and benignity of the Deity in his works, and in endeavouring to imitate him in everything moral, scientifical, and mechanical.

A true deist worships one God by studying nature and striving to emulate God's moral and scientific attributes.

_Paine's definition of Deism._

> The two beliefs can not be held together in the same mind; and he who thinks that he believes both, has thought but little of either.

Belief in a plurality of worlds is incompatible with the Christian system; anyone claiming to hold both has not deeply considered either.

_Paine argues that Christianity and a scientific view of the universe are mutually exclusive._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/chapters/part-i-xiii-comparison-of-christianism-with-the-religious-ideas-inspired-by-nature
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_age_of_reason_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/chapters